East Kolkata Wetlands – Bengal’s new Frankenstein

Whatever may be the baits of money and power (certainly originating from outlawed processes), the law takes its own course and however may be the initial successes, the triumph is attained by righteousness only. This is an age-old principle, appreciated across the globe despite differences of ethnicity, religion, language and culture and the same precept found expression through latest ruling of the Calcutta High Court.

The state of Bengal witnessed loads of uproar concerning illegal land deals, in the recent past that not only led to violent skirmishes (advocated by adverse political groups) but also slayings. But credit must be given to Calcutta High Court which stopped repetition of the same by means of halting a new attempt to encroach on the East Kolkata Wetlands.

Let’s get specific. The court directed the "buyers" of a one-bigha plot opposite ITC Sonar Hotel directly to return it to Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) by February 15. It is to be noted that the East Kolkata Wetlands Management Authority (EKWMA) had tried to stop construction on the plot in Boinchtala mouza (in the past) but was restrained by an injunction.

The culpable persons including Nasim Ahmed Siddique and three others moved high court claiming that they had purchased the land from its owner. Nevertheless counsel for KMC and EKWMA argued that the transaction was against the law for the reason that the land belonged to KMC and was part of the Ramsar site where construction is forbidden without the EKWMA's approval.

Advocate Aloke Ghosh while appearing for KMC, termed KMC as the real possessor of the entire area and as per him, nobody had the privilege to sell land in Boinchtala to anyone else. In addition, Ghosh pointed out that under the West Bengal Wetland (Conservation & Management) Act, 2006, no one could change the character of the wetland without the EKWMA's consent.

Ghosh made it clear that the KMC, as well, had to get hold of permission from EKWMA to build a water treatment plant at Dhapa. The site under consideration is close to the plot where the treatment plant is under construction.

We would not extend this report but would end with a more dangerous note. A stated by EKWMA Chief Technical Officer Nitai Kundu, threats to the wetlands from real estate developers are increasing by leaps and bounds and promoters are the biggest challenge. On the word of him, almost 40% violations are reported in Sonarpur area followed by 25% each in Salt Lake and Tiljala and the apathy of the local administration is exasperating the situation.